The Scottish Minister for International Development and Europe told a gathering in Glasgow today that our 'flatlining' population means migration is more necessary in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.

Alasdair Allan met groups working with refugees, migrants and asylum seekers to mark the UN's International Migrants Day at Pollokshields Burgh Hall.

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"Our population has been flat-lining or in some years declining for most of the last 50 years so we are in the position that we realise that if we are going to grow our workforce, if we are going to grow our communities and grow our population, we cannot do that without people coming from elsewhere."

Mr Allan watched a performance from the Maryhill Integration Network's Joyous Choir, which is open to all women and helps support the charity which is aimed at bringing communities together through art, cultural and educational groups and pledges to "encourage cross-cultural understanding and celebrate diversity".

He also saw a dance from the Colours of Life international dance group, which performs traditional folk dances from across the world.